Always verify with official sources
This guide is a curated summary for Malaysia, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules, fees and advisory levels change without notice. Always confirm with the official immigration authority, tax authority or your embassy before you travel, move money, or apply.
Malaysia Visas & Entry Requirements
Malaysia is broadly visa-free for tourists: over 130 nationalities enter visa-free for 30 or 90 days. Almost all arriving foreign visitors (with narrow exceptions) must submit the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before arrival. Nationals who are not visa-exempt use the online eVISA or eNTRI systems, so most travellers need no paper embassy visa. Passports must be valid at least 6 months.
Last reviewed Aug 1, 2026
Visa types
Visa-free entry (Social Visit Pass on arrival)
- Who it is for
- Tourism, social and business-meeting visitors from the 130+ visa-exempt nationalities.
- Allowed stay
- 90 days for most Western/high-income nationalities (US, UK, EU/EEA, Australia, Canada, Japan). 30 days for ASEAN neighbours, and for China and India — whose 30-day visa exemption is extended through 31 December 2026 (a high-volatility expiry date to watch).
- Extensions
- A Social Visit Pass extension is possible at any Immigration office before the pass expires (typically 30–60 days, nationality/discretion dependent). Applications after expiry are not accepted.
- How to apply
- No pre-application for visa-exempt nationals — the pass is granted at entry — but you must still complete the MDAC.
- Fees
- Free. Extensions are commonly free for standard tourist categories (varies by office/case).
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) — mandatory
- Who it is for
- All foreign travellers entering Malaysia, except Singapore citizens, Malaysian citizens/PRs, diplomatic/official passport holders and certain border-pass categories.
- Allowed stay
- Not a stay permission — a mandatory pre-arrival declaration for almost all arrivals.
- Extensions
- Not applicable.
- How to apply
- Submit online at the official portal (imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main) no more than 3 days before arrival. You receive a QR/confirmation to present at immigration. Compulsory since 1 January 2024.
- Fees
- Free (RM 0). Any site charging for the MDAC is an unauthorised third party.
eVISA
- Who it is for
- Nationalities that are not visa-exempt and need a visa before travel (single/multiple-entry tourist and social visit).
- Allowed stay
- Typically up to 30 days per entry; validity and entries vary by nationality.
- Extensions
- Limited; via an Immigration office, case-by-case.
- How to apply
- Apply online via the official Malaysia eVISA portal before travel.
- Fees
- Around USD 20 plus processing, varying by nationality. This is secondary-sourced and high-volatility — verify the current fee on the official portal before applying.
eNTRI (Electronic Travel Registration & Information)
- Who it is for
- Historically for Chinese and Indian nationals (and select others) for short tourist stays. With China and India currently visa-exempt for 30 days through 31 December 2026, eNTRI's relevance for those two nationalities is reduced — verify the current eligibility list.
- Allowed stay
- Historically up to 15 days, single entry, non-extendable — not re-confirmed on the official portal this pass; verify.
- Extensions
- Not extendable.
- How to apply
- Apply online via the eNTRI portal before travel.
- Fees
- Around USD 20 — secondary-sourced and high-volatility. Verify on the official portal.
Key entry rules
Passport validity
At least 6 months' validity beyond your arrival date, with no water damage and enough blank pages.
MDAC deadline
Submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival (the 72-hour window before entry).
Overstay penalties
Fines commonly cited at about RM30–RM50 per day; serious cases can bring RM1,000–RM10,000, detention, deportation, a re-entry ban and, in severe cases, up to 5 years' imprisonment.
Discretionary and secondary-sourced (not confirmed on imi.gov.my this pass) — treat the figures as indicative and do not overstay.
Official sources
- Malaysian Immigration Department (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia) — Government of Malaysia
- Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) portal — Malaysian Immigration Department
- Malaysia eVISA portal — Malaysian Immigration Department
- Expatriate Services Division (ESD) — Employment Pass — Malaysian Immigration Department
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Malaysia?
What is the MDAC and is it required?
Does the MDAC cost money?
How long can I stay and can I extend?
My passport expires in 5 months — can I enter?
What happens if I overstay?
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